Friends and community have come together to support the father of a girl who was allegedly murdered by her own mother on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
Sophie Wang, 10, was pronounced dead by paramedics at her home in Emerald Lakes in Carrara shortly after 6pm on August 13 after she was found by her father, Yun Wang.
The Emmanuel College student’s mother, Yingying Xu, 46, has since been charged with her murder and remains in pre-trial detention pending her bail application.
The alleged brutal murder shook the close-knit Emmanuel College community, which has since begun a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the girl’s father.
Organiser F Sheldon described Sophie as a kind-hearted person and “a devoted sweetheart at home”, while at school she was known for her compassion and “bright spirit”.
“Sophie had a deep love for reading, music and all things Harry Potter. Tragically, our beloved little angel Sophie has been taken from us,” the organiser wrote.
‘His passing has left his family heartbroken and devastated, and his loss is deeply felt by his friends, colleagues and the wider community.
‘As Sophie’s family goes through this incredibly difficult time, we invite you to join us in contributing to a fund that will support them in any way possible during this period.’
Sophie Wang, a 10-year-old student at Emmanuel College, was pronounced dead by paramedics at her home in Emerald Lakes in Carrara shortly after 6pm on August 13.
Yingying Xu, 46, has since been charged with Sophie’s murder and remains in custody. Police say Ms Xu slit her daughter’s throat before fleeing the house.
Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil for Sophie at the main fountain at Emerald Lakes last week.
The campaign has raised nearly $8,000 as of Saturday evening, above its $20,000 goal, with individual donations ranging from $50 to $1,000.
The funds will allow Sophie’s family “space to grieve, heal and begin to rebuild their lives without the immediate pressure of financial burdens.”
The boy’s suspected murder has shocked the quiet Gold Coast town, with Acting Detective Inspector Kent Ellis describing the scene as “incredibly confronting” for first responders.
Police say Ms Xu slit her daughter’s throat before fleeing the house. She was later arrested by police on a nearby street more than four hours later.
The campaign comes more than a week after hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil for Sophie at the main fountain at Emerald Lakes, which included a minute of silence.